Daniel Ricciardo (Cow Race): “Not like McLaren” / Formula 1

34-year-old Daniel Ricciardo entered the 2024 GP season with this goal: “I want to do so well with Racing Bulls that I can force myself to join Red Bull Racing in 2025.”

The eight-time GP winner is miles away. In the first three GP weekends in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Australia he had to let his Racing Bulls team-mate Yuki Tsunoda take the butter off his back. Ricciardo still has no points, Tsunoda finished an impressive seventh in Melbourne.

Fans are reminded of Ricciardo’s years at McLaren. Daniel had such a difficult time with the traditional English racing team in 2021 and 2022 that the contract was terminated early.

In the paddock at the Suzuka Circuit, Daniel says: “I’m not able to hold the rear axle, I had problems in the high-speed sections in Saudi Arabia and Australia. What we’re doing now – we’re trying to change the setup so that I have more confidence in the car. At least I he’s as good as Yuki in the slow and medium corners.”

“What happened in the first part of the season has nothing to do with my time at McLaren. I have to work harder with my boys to get the car in a way that I can develop well. I don’t care what comes out.”

“I put more pressure on myself. But I see from the data – it’s all about the little things, I don’t have to do anything different fundamentally. I know that the time will come when it will click and then my performance will be fine.”

Australien-GP, Albert Park Circuit

01. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 1:20:26.843 h
02. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +2,366 sec
03. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +5.904
04. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +35,770
05. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +56,309
06. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1:33,222
07. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, +1:35,601
08. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +1:40.992*
09. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +1:44.553
10. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1 Lap
11. Alex Albon (T), Williams, +1
12. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, +1
13. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +1
14. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Sauber, +1
15. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, +1
16. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +1
outside
George Russell (GB), Mercedes, accident
Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, engine failure
Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, Bremsdefekt

*20 second time penalty for braking in the fight with George Russell
Entry waived: Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams
(Alex Albon crash in free practice, no replacement chassis in Australia)

World Championship Standings (after 3 out of 24 Grands Prix)

the driver
01. Verstappen 51 points
02. Leclerc 47
03. Perez 46
04. Sainz 40
05. Plate 28
06. Norris 27
07. Russell 18
08. Alonso 16
09. Walk 9
10. Hamilton 8
11. Tsunoda 6
12. Oliver Bearman (GB) 6
13. Hulkenberg 3
14. Magnussen 1
15. Alboni 0
16. Zhou 0
17. Ricciardo 0
18. Okon 0
19. 0 gas
20. Bota 0
21. Sergeant 0

Builders Cup
01. Red Bull Racing 97 Punkte
02. Ferrari 93
03. McLaren 55
04. Mercedes 26
05. Aston Martin 25
06. Running Bull 6
07. Especially 4
08. Williams 0
09. Sauber 0
10. Alpine 0